Managing vegetable pests and diseases can be a challenge, especially when patterns and outbreaks vary from year to year. The Vegetable Disease and Insect Forecasting Network (VDIFN) helps take the guesswork out of management by providing data-driven risk forecasts for your farm. This guide walks you through key concepts behind pest and disease models, VDIFN basics and navigation, step‑by‑step examples for insect pest and disease forecasting, and resources for integrated pest and disease management.
Dr. Emily Bick reviews key field and forage crop insect pest issues from 2025 and what to watch for in the upcoming 2026 season.
Alyssa Foss explains new pesticide label requirements related to the Endangered Species Act and how they affect pesticide use in Wisconsin.
Josh Kamps covers hybrid and variety trial data for corn, soybeans, and small grains, pest and disease management considerations, herbicide resistance, and scouting strategies.
Using wheat to diversify corn-soybean crop rotations can act as a strong foundation for more effective, economic, and sustainable pest management.
It’s almost time to scout for early season insect pests in first alfalfa crops. These pests can impact alfalfa crops’ ability to thrive.
Black cutworm (Agrostis ipsilon) is the most common cutworm species affecting Wisconsin corn, although outbreaks are infrequent and difficult to predict. Black cutworm larvae reduce stand counts and yield potential by cutting corn plants at the base or below ground.
It’s almost time to scout for early season insect pests in corn and soybeans. These pests can impact soybean crops above and below ground.
It’s almost time to scout for early season insect pests in corn and soybeans. These pests can impact corn crops above and below ground.
Slugs are becoming an increasingly challenging pest for Wisconsin farmers who use conservation cropping practices like no-till and cover crops. The increased adoption of these practices in recent years, along with milder winters and wetter springs projected for Wisconsin in the future, may increase the importance of slugs as pests of field crops.
This annually updated reference guide is one convenient source for management information on the key pests of corn, soybean, forages, small grains, and stored grains and provides targeted information for Wisconsin growers.
Soybean aphids (Aphis glycines) are an invasive pest that can significantly stunt plant growth and yield. Soybean aphids feed on the sap of plants and leave behind a sticky residue.
